Chapter 42 George Marcus Snape

After their meeting with Marjorie, the remaining weeks of term seemed to fly by as quick as ever. Severus and Lily's students sat for their exams at the end of the year, and both Professors were quite pleased to see that their students did fairly well. Severus and Lily were also very surprised to see a much younger and sprightly-looking Griselda Marchbanks invigilating some of the exams. She was even older than Albus was in their time, and looked about thirty years his senior in the present. As a matter of fact, both Severus and Lily's students had almost maintained their stellar averages from the year before. This was an exceedingly rare phenomenon amongst new teachers since oftentimes there was a marked drop in grade average from a veteran teacher's last year, to a new teacher's first. Needless to say, Armando Dippet was quite pleased with the performance of both Professor Snapes and owing to Lily's advanced pregnancy, they were excused from their duties early. So, barely a day after the last exams had finished, Lily and Severus bade goodbye to the Headmaster and their colleagues for the summer, packed their bags and familiars, and left their Hogwarts quarters for their quaint cottage in Hogsmeade.

Early on in the pregnancy, Lily and Severus had come to the mutual agreement that it'd be best for Lily to deliver George in the safety of their cottage. Plato was quite happy to return home, as was Jackie, both familiars roaming the grounds and soaring the skies as if they'd never left. After unpacking their things and tidying up their cottage a bit to make it livable, Lily and Severus spent much of their early summer at the cottage, husband rarely wavering from his wife's side. Lily continued to write to Marjorie over the course of the summer, and regularly received visits from Albus, Merope, Patrick, and some of the other staff members as well. She didn't go out much though and mainly busied herself with reading and continuing her correspondence with her former mentor. Marjorie insisted that she'd be fine and that she'd be able to resume teaching without any trouble, she also insisted that Lily get as much rest as possible for her impending birth and that she shouldn't stress herself out over worrying whether or not her predecessor would be up to task. As her due date neared, Lily mainly confined herself to the master bedroom with Severus admirably handling all the menial household tasks to ensure that his wife wasn't needlessly exerting herself.

Things carried on in a sort of limbo for a while, Lily, still mostly keeping to herself and waiting for the day George decided to make his appearance; and Severus, exhibiting a sort of nervous energy Lily had never seen from him before. They weren't kept waiting for long, since on the ninth of July in the early hours of the evening, Lily Marie Snape gave birth to George Marcus at precisely five fifty seven pm. Healer Hopkins and another healer from St. Mungo's assisted Lily in the delivery, quickly passing the healthy newborn boy to his mother who cried tears of joy for the birth of a new life. Later that evening, Lily was well on the mend when Albus, Merope, Patrick, Marjorie and Dippet came by to visit. They congratulated the young mother on the birth of George, accepted tearily from Lily, and left the Snape couple in peace to care for their child. Alas, as fate would have it they didn't get much peace at all those early nights, with George doing a fine job at ensuring his parents didn't sleep for more than a couple hours in a row. By the following morning, neither Severus nor Lily had gotten more than three or four hours of sleep, and were both running on fumes.

The following morning, Lily awoke after a blessed one hour of uninterrupted sleep to the noise of George whimpering and clawing at her clothed breast. Eyes still shut, Lily shifted herself and her son up slightly so they rested on the headboard, and shifted her nightgown aside for George. She held her newborn up to her exposed breasts, watching intently as his lips enclosed around her nipple and began to feed on the only thing that would give him sustenance for the next few months. It was only then, that she took notice of a lack of Severus in the bed. Not wanting to frighten her son, nor exert her voice, Lily fumbled for her wand while trying her best not to disturb him, and summoned her doe to go find Severus. She needn't have done it, for her doe had only pranced through the door before finding her husband coming up the stairs with breakfast for both of them. With her doe by his side, Severus gently opened the door and was treated to the sight of Lily feeding their son, a warm smile on her face as she cradled his head.

"Morning Lily," Severus murmured as he entered the room.

He waved his wand and the tray he was carrying flew out of his hands, only to deposit itself on her bedside table.

"Good morning Sev'rus," Lily said just as quietly. "Thanks for breakfast."

"You did all the hard work yesterday, I thought it should be my turn to return the favor," Severus replied, wearing a small smile.

Lily smiled too and beckoned him closer. With swift strides, Severus crossed the room and sat down at Lily's bedside, lips coming together in a wordless conveyance of love and appreciation. Severus pulled away and summoned a chair to sit at Lily's bedside, seeing that their son had finished feeding, he held out his arms for him. Lily's grogginess from lack of sleep meant she was a bit slow on the uptake regarding what Severus wanted, after a few seconds of confused blinks and staring, she realized what he wanted and gingerly lifted George off her chest and placed him in Severus' arms. Severus carefully held George to his chest as Lily righted her gown; she glanced over at him and smiled wondrously at the undisguised affection on Severus' face as he held the new life they created.

"Umm…Sev? Can I get started?" Lily asked, glancing over at the tray.

"Just leave half for me and that'll do," said Severus, not looking up at her as his eyes remained focused on George.

"Thank you," Lily said earnestly. She reached over onto the bedside table and carefully lifted the tray into her lap.

Lily ate her breakfast and when she was done, she and Severus switched tray for baby, and Severus had his turn eating his share of breakfast. After finishing their meal, Severus and Lily brought George into the bathroom where they bathed, cleaned and dressed him; then had their turns going about their morning rituals. When Severus came out of the bathroom, he spotted Lily on the bed with George in her lap; she spoke animatedly towards their child, shifting about so George's bright green eyes could find Severus' black ones. He stretched out his hands in the direction of his father, much to his mother's delight, who then lifted him up and carried him over.

"I think he wants you today," Lily said gently, beckoning Severus closer for a gentle kiss before depositing George in his arms.

"Now that's a surprise," Severus chuckled, accepting George into his arms. "No child has ever willingly chosen to remain in my care if given the choice, but then again…I suppose there's a first time for everything, isn't there?"

Lily chuckled softly and kissed him again, on the cheek this time, before rocking back on her heels.

"Let's head downstairs," said Lily. "I could use something a little stronger than tea to get me up and moving."

"Same here," Severus said, raising his elbow to cover up a yawn.

"Since you made breakfast—" Lily leaned in closer, eyes shining deviously, "—coffee will be my treat."

"I won't be foolish enough to complain about that," Severus said silkily, meeting her lips halfway.

They headed downstairs with Severus carrying George into the sitting room while Lily busied herself with a pot of coffee in the kitchen. Severus did his best to maintain the peace with his temperamental young son, but thankfully, their little tyke seemed to have tired himself out from all the late-night crying and now slept soundly in Severus' arms. Severus tucked his son against the crook of his arm, balancing him deftly as he had with Patrick and with Draco—but never when either boy was quite this small. His little onesie he was bundled up in matched the color of his eyes, a bright, vivid green so similar to Lily's, and Harry's. Yet there were subtle differences in the eyes of his son, versus those of his wife; for his were infused with little flecks of black much like his dad's. HIs eyes were shut now, their little baby snoring quietly as he slept in Severus' arms. It filled him with a sense of pride seeing his son in the flesh; pride he hadn't felt since…well, ever, if he was being honest. Lily entered the room quietly, carefully carrying a tray—atop which was a pot of coffee and a couple mugs. She flashed Severus a warm smile and quietly sat down beside him, balancing the tray on her knees before setting it down on the table.

"How is he?" she whispered, taking extra care not to wake him.

"He's just resting now," Severus said just as softly, unadulterated affection in his words.

"He looks so peaceful," Lily murmured, reaching over to smooth out their son's hair before raising her mug to her lips and taking a sip. "A lot like you when you sleep, actually."

"Well, he was't so peaceful last night now was he?"

Her laugh was lilting, but tempered in volume. " No he was not," she agreed with a shake of her head. "In any case, we'll definitely be cooped up at home for the next few days so I think we should establish some ground rules."

Severus eyed her speculatively, then nodded deferentially. He wasn't stubborn enough to argue with Lily about this when Lily actually had experience raising a small child beyond the odd babysit here and there Severus had done. "What do you suggest?" he asked, his undivided attention given to her.

Lily's pearly teeth flash in a little grin. "I'm glad you asked, because from my experience, we'll be much better off if we partition our duties right down the middle."

Severus was quick to agree if his smile was anything to go by. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Lily's smile broadened and she leaned over to kiss him, before leaning back and sweeping her hair over her shoulder. "Good. Because here's what I think we should do…"

The Snapes hardly left the house at all over the next few weeks, their attention fixed solely on their son and his well-being. They occasionally entertained the odd guest or two, Merope, Patrick, Albus and Marjorie all stopping by from time to time to interact with George. They even had a surprise visit from the Headmaster who was eager to meet the child of his two newest employees. For the time being, they were content to remain at home and enjoy their time together as a family away from the public eye; so in that regard, their holiday couldn't have gone any better. To their surprise, however, Patrick seemed quite interested in George, always trying to interact and speak to him, but of course receiving little in the way of response other than crying. George was a cryer, a fact that Lily and Severus were quick to learn, but he was also a very empathetic soul and could easily be put at peace by something as simple as looking out the window at the abundance of nature around the cottage. Severus hoped that his son had Lily's heart and her kindness, from what he'd seen so far, though, he had good reason to keep on hoping.

About three weeks after George's birth, Lily suggested that they give George his first taste of the outside world, other than the back garden, that is. Severus was quick to agree and in half an hour, Lily, Severus and George were all dressed and ready for a walk around Hogsmeade. George was dressed in a onesie and placed down in his pram, while Lily and Severus opted for wizard-wear in place of the Muggle clothing they usually wore at home. All dressed and ready to go, they stepped out into the late-morning sunshine and began their walk into town with their son.

"So, where should we head first?" Lily asked, as Severus shut the door to their cottage behind them.

Severus shrugged, not sure for once. "I thought you would know, it was your idea to bring George out for a stroll after all," he replied.

Lily blinked and turned away slightly, a thoughtful look flittering over her face. "Hmm…well we could bring him back to Hogwarts…There's no students about so that risk of disease that Hopkins mentioned shouldn't be a factor, and a nice stroll around the Black Lake ought to be nice."

Severus appeared to ponder the suggestion for a moment, before agreeing with a nod. "Sounds good to me. Shall we?"

Lily peeked over into the pram, and after ensuring that George was alright, she placed both hands on the handle and nodded. "Let's."

They set off on the path towards town, the sun shining brightly on their backs, and the fresh summer air rejuvenating their spirits after several weeks cooped up indoors. As they neared the gate to the school, Lily breathed a heavy sigh, prompting Severus to glance towards her in confusion.

"Something wrong Lily?"

"No," she said, shaking her head with a smile. "I'm just feeling a little curious, that's all…" she said cryptically.

"Curious about what?" Severus asked, mindful of the bait she'd laid out for him, he went for it anyway.

"About what you think of yourself being a parent now." As they neared the gate, she turned towards him, a small smile quirking her lips upwards. "How do you feel now that you're a parent, Sev? Feel any different at all?"

Severus' gaze briefly darted to the pram, then back to Lily. He shrugged and grinned. "I think I can say I haven't been as tired as I am now since my spying days, that's for certain," he chuckled. "But I can't say I feel that I'm different, just…have a bit more responsibility now with our young one."

Satisfied with his response, Lily's smile widened, her eyes sparkling as she looked down into the pram where George slumbered. "That's exactly how I felt when I had Harry. And now, again, with you and George," she said quietly. "There's nothing quite like it, is there? Knowing you're responsible for the creation of a new life and that it's our responsibility to raise and nurture that life."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Severus intoned. "Although…you've had about a nine-month head start regarding the nurturing of George haven't you?"

Lily's grin broadened even more. "Yes. Yes, I suppose I have."

They'd arrived at the gate now and Severus tapped his wand on the wrought-iron structure. It swung open with delay, allowing the two Professors and their son through. Sensing the presence of a young life, the gate was sentient enough to shut gently so as not to disturb George, much to Severus' and Lily's gratitude. The gates closed quietly and the Snapes set off for the shores of the lake.

"You know Severus…I've been doing some thinking—"

"—Really?" Severus asked, sarcasm lacing his voice. "Now that's a change, since when did you start?"

Lily shot him a glare, but not without a hint of mirth. "Shut up you berk," a sock on the arm accompanied her words.

"Careful now, don't want George to pick up any bad language now do we, Lily?" Severus chided. "I thought you were the more experienced parent out of the two of us, aren't you?"

"Before you so rudely interrupted me, I was saying that I've been doing some thinking, about ourselves, and George, and Patrick and Merope too…actually. So, I was wondering if you've thought at all about changing our long-term plans, Sev. Regarding our…tenure at the school and all that."

"Are you saying you want to stay longer or shorter?" Severus asked sharply, concern etched onto his face. "Because if you're thinking of cutting down on our tenure, then let me be the first to tell you I'm fully onboard with that. But if you're thinking the opposite…" he shook his head firmly. "There's no way."

"Severus…" Lily said lowly, almost reproachfully. "I watched your first stint as Potions Master with avid interest from up there, I'd know better than to suggest that we revise our time at Hogwarts to be longer than the twenty or so years we agreed to. What I am suggesting though, as that I've considered carrying on longer myself, perhaps a little bit past Patrick's graduation in eighteen years time."

Severus almost snorted at the incredulity of her suggestion, but he didn't. "Why in the name of Salazar would you think that?"

Lily's eyes betrayed her reasoning before she could even speak, for they'd darted down to their son for the briefest of moments before coming to rest on her husband's face. "Because I want to be there for as long as our children continue to attend. I couldn't bear to move to the Bahamas while they're still in school Sev, I just can't entertain that, I want to be near them, to watch over them and guide them."

"Not like one of those helicopter mums mind you," she added, upon seeing his concerned look. "But I…I don't want to miss a thing, when our children are still…well…children. And I want to be here for all of it."

"And you want to have more children?" Severus asked softly.

Lily nodded swiftly, clearly having thought of this numerous times before. "If you agree to, then yes, I'd want nothing more," she said. "That was the plan with…with James, at least, but he wasn't as taken on the idea of having multiple children as I was. We were still discussing it when we…"

"Died," Severus finished.

Lily's grim look returned, but she quickly vanished it and nodded, her sunny demeanor rising to the fore. "Yeah. But coming back to what I was saying, I want to know what you think of it, Severus; having more children and if you're alright with me sticking around longer at the school until George finishes."

"If that's what you want, far be it from me to keep you from your desires," Severus said warmly. His lips parted to say more but he abruptly stopped, a brief, grim look passing over his face as he shook his head. He inhaled, then exhaled deeply, the stress leaving his body with his breath. "I've…taken far too much from you already, it would be criminal of me to hold you back from this, or anything you want. And if sons and daughters are what you want…then that's what I want, too."

Her expression softens, hands leaving the handle of the pram and rising to cup his cheeks. She's close enough now that he can count the faint smattering of freckles on her nose—the light dusting on her pale cheeks, and she, the little flecks of brown in his eyes. "Severus…" she murmured quietly, then leaning in to kiss him.

He returned her affection immediately, arms winding around her waist and gently pulling her closer, lips parting as his tongue sought out her's. She smiled into the kiss, feeling the blessed warmth of the sun on her back, and the love radiating freely from the man in her arms. "I love you."

Even now, he still looked dazed when she said it, and she hoped he never lost that look of awe when she uttered those three, simple words. "I love you too," he said thickly, before covering her lips again with his, sealing his words with the strongest vow he could offer. "Whatever you want, I'm game for. However many children you want—although I draw the line at four, I don't want to end up like the Weasleys."

"I agree, seven might be a little too much for me too, Sev," Lily chuckles, pulling away long enough so she can speak. "Although three sounds nice, maybe four…but I think three is good, what about you?"

His smile broadens a touch, the sun lighting up his eyes—making them sparkle. "I'd always wanted a sibling when I was younger. So, I think three is just fine with me."

The undisguised sense of awe and gratitude in her expression warmed his heart more than anything else could ever hope to, he never wants it to go away, and would do anything in his power to keep her happy. "l'm glad to hear that we're on the same page," she murmured softly.

A loud wail rang out from the pram before Severus could reply, Lily's hands left his cheeks and Severus' unwound from her waist in the blink of an eye; both parents reacting inhumanly quickly to check on their newborn. Severus was nearer and swiftly reached into the pram to scoop George up into his arms. His wails quietened slightly into sniffles and sobs; but they refused to cease as he reached out his arms for his mother. Lily stepped closer to her son, prying him from her husband's arms and rocking him against her chest, stroking his hair in a well-practiced motion that quickly renders their baby silent. A few quiet coos later and George is nearly silent. It's a miracle, Severus thinks, how easily Lily can get through to George, although he supposes it's an innate ability some parents have that allow them to simply reach out and touch their child even when they're as far from processing rational thought as possible. Severus quickly shrank and lightened the pram, stuffing the thing in his pocket while Lily tucked their baby against her more securely.

They set off again, this time with George held securely in Lily's arms as they continue their walk around the lake. By the time they finished their lap, the sun was already high in the sky, bombarding the Snapes with harsh sunlight. They snuck along the treelike through the edge of the forbidden forest to take a short-cut back to their cottage. Severus' expert navigational knowledge of the forest's layout aided their swift return home. After putting George down for a nap in his crib, Lily and Severus flopped down on the couch in their sitting room with mugs off coffee in hand.

"Severus, have you considered what you want to do if I stay at the school for longer?"

"I was thinking about that as we were walking back, funnily enough," Severus said amusedly.

Lily stared at him curiously over the rim of her mug, then sipped. "You were, were you? And what did you think of?"

"The one thing I excel at better than Defense Against the Dark Arts," Severus said simply, wearing a thin smile.

"Being a loving husband?" Lily grinned.

Severus rolled his eyes but couldn't resist a quiet laugh at his wife's quick wit. "No. Not that. But something along the lines of potion brewing or something like that. Perhaps I could open up a brewery in Hogsmeade and produce expensive potions on demand, or something similar to that."

"You mean like a…like an apothecary?" Lily asked curiously.

Severus shook his head. "No. Not selling ingredients, but selling potions and brews that are too complicated for the average witch or wizard to make. Valuable and tough-to-make brews that people would pay an arm and a leg for," he said with a small grin.

Lily couldn't resist a small smile herself. "Sounds profitable."

"Oh, it most certainly is. A brew like Liquid Luck for instance, the cost of its ingredients is about ten times less than its market value, yet hardly anyone can brew it worth a damn. Only five students I've ever taught have brewed it to a sufficient standard."

"I take it you'll be starting this project of yours once Patrick graduates?"

"That'd be ideal," said Severus. "That way I can be near you and George…and any other children we might have. And also so I can ensure Patrick is on the right path…before he starts making his own decisions and enters the world as an adult."

"We'll still look out for him though, through it all," Lily vowed solemnly.

"Always," Severus concurred, before raising his mug to his lips for a swig. "And then after George and our kids are…graduated, and making their way in the world, I think you and I ought to make good on our promise."

Lily's thin smile broadened as she raised her mug in a half-toast. "Oh, you bet. Not to mention we'll have to get floo linkages set up with both Nepal, Belgium, and Scotland, won't we?"

"Definitely," Severus concurred.

Lily's expression softened, leaning back into the couch, she flashed her husband a fond smile and took another sip from her mug. "It's nice, isn't it?…Being able to plan for the future and all that without a cloud hanging over us now. No more Grindelwald, no Riddle…at times it still feels surreal that we're living in a time and place such as this. And now we have peace. It's just wonderful, isn't it?"

"Peace is nice for a change," Severus agreed swiftly. "I just…I can't help but feel, even now, that all this is just some dream, y'know?"

Lily sends him a knowing look, for she's thought the exact same thing numerous times over already. "But it's not," she said assuredly. "This—" her arms raise to gesture to all that surrounds them, "—is all real. And nothing will tell me otherwise."

"I think the same," Severus is quick to assure her. "But I guess…it's just a thought that always lingers. I'll always have an attachment to my old life, my…original life, you could say." A sad smile curls his lip, as numerous memories both good and bad of his past life play before his mind's eye. "I'll always have a foot in two worlds, never able to shake my past Lily…that's just who I am."

"I'm sure it'll go in time though, your thoughts about our old world; at least that's what I think."

Severus slid closer to her, his arm wrapping over her shoulder. "And what makes you think that?"

Lily took a moment to gather her thoughts, brows knitting in consternation, her lips puckering in a slight frown. Severus thought she looked extremely kissable in that moment, but kept his hands to himself for the time being.

"Simply 'cus…there'll come a time when we'll have been alive for longer in this world, than we were in our last, right? One day, you'll have lived more than thirty eight years here, and I'll have lived more than twenty one…and then, I think we'll start to see this world, the lives we've built together and all the friends and family we have…we'll see them as our true home."

Severus' lips touch her cheek, and she finds herself leaning into it. "No, no, no Lily, you've got it all wrong," Severus murmured softly against her skin, setting it alight, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. "I've always viewed this world as my home. My true home. For the happiness I've been able to find here, in the short year and a half we've been here…it's incomparable to anything I felt back in my old life. This is my home, and I've thought that for a long time, even while I had doubts if this was all real or not."

"Oh Sev…" Lily murmured, shifting in her seat slightly so she faced him.

"It's true," he muttered. "I've had more of a home here—" with you in my arms "—than I've had anywhere else."

Lily swallowed thickly, and there's a sheen of tears over her eyes, but they don't fall. "I'm sorry Sev…I can't say the same thing just yet—"

"—then don't," Severus said firmly, his eyes radiating intensity. "Don't. Only when you truly feel that you do—"

"—You'll be the first to hear it," Lily assured, laying a palm on his shoulder. "I had more…reason to love my last world than you did, but I know for a fact that I'll be able to feel what you feel soon."

She reached out slowly and grasped his hand, then, placed it firmly on her chest. "It's your's now."

He replicated the motion, pulling Lily's hand to him and laying it on his thudding heart. "Mine's always belonged to you."

Her smile is bright, blindingly so. And Severus can't resist it any longer, he kisses her with all the passion he's built over a lifetime and then some; she returns it with ease and their worlds fall into bliss.

A/N: Sorry for the 1+ month wait between the last update and this. To be completely honest with you all, inspiration for future chapters has been hard to come by recently, hence the slower rate of updates, my apologies for that. The next 7 chapters won't be so big on dialogue and a lot more time-skips are on the way. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!